The inhabitants of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, forced to leave their residence six days ago and for the second time in a month, due to forest fires, will be able to gradually return to their homes starting Saturday, July 1. The small municipality of Nord-du-Québec is not out of the woods, however.
During his daily press briefing, held on the municipality’s Facebook page, Mayor Guy Lafrenière shared the good news with his fellow citizens.
“The temperatures of the last few days and those expected in July make a possible return possible,” he said on Wednesday. After consultation with the emergency committee, SOPFEU, the public security committee and the civil security committee, we have made the decision to gradually return to the municipality starting Thursday, June 29, with the return of citizens on Saturday, July 1. »
More details on the reinstatement procedure are expected to be revealed at the next press briefing, scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m.
However, the game is far from won, said Mr. Lafrenière, recalling that Lebel-sur-Quévillon is still in emergency measures.
“It is still forbidden to make open fires, to go to the forest, and the campsite will remain closed,” he said.
Given that fires continue to wreak havoc near the municipality, despite precipitation varying between 15 and 40 millimeters having fallen in the area over the past two days, “it is possible that a third evacuation take place in July, and that is out of our control,” the mayor warned.
“There is a risk that fires will come back in force in July,” he reiterated. On the other hand, we believe that it would be unrealistic to wait for all of these fires to be controlled, because we would still be evacuated for four to six weeks. »
The evacuation notice in effect since last Friday having been lifted on Tuesday evening, the members of the Cree community of Mistissini were for their part returning to their residence on Wednesday.
Acceptable air quality
Very early Wednesday morning, Environment Canada issued a smog warning for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and the Lower Laurentians. The northern part of the province is affected by a special air quality bulletin.
However, it was deemed good or acceptable in most regions of Quebec, according to the air quality index of the provincial Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. .
On Wednesday morning, SOPFEU identified 73 fires still active in the intensive zone and 37 others in the northern zone.